Due to the prevalence of the green movement, most companies have at least a moderate interest in retrofitting their older operating systems to make them more environmentally friendly, especially when they discover the long-term cost savings that can result from making their buildings energy efficient. However, for companies that are on the fence, the fact that retrofitting their HVAC and lighting systems, for example, represents an “unnecessary” expense often keeps them from “going green”. If this describes your company, you might be interested to know that, as revealed by studies of companies that have LEED Certification, making your building energy efficient can bring advantages in addition to slashing your annual energy bills.

LEED-an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-is an internationally recognized certification system developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate buildings’ environmental performance and encourage the adoption of sustainable design. Unlike some sustainable design campaigns that focus on appealing to our humanity, leed certification focuses on transforming the building industry toward sustainable design and results in tangible benefits, such as tax credits for participating companies.

LEED Certification is granted based on the number of overall “points” that a building acquires across five main areas of design: sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and innovation and design process. The minimum number of points required for certification is 40. But there are also higher levels of certification that can result in higher rewards: Silver Certification (50-59 points), Gold Certification (60-79 points) and Platinum Certification (80-110 points).

Ultimately, leed certification’s greatest rewards come from implementing the energy efficient construction that results in the certification. For example, large companies that make their HVAC and interior lighting systems energy efficient and implement solar panels to lessen energy consumption commonly experience a six-figure reduction in their yearly power costs. In addition, energy efficient buildings have better real estate value than traditional buildings. If you decide to put your building on the market, you’ll have an easier time selling it when potential buyers learn how much money they’ll be saving in energy costs.

Another benefit of achieving leed certification is that energy efficient work atmospheres increase productivity. Research shows that employees who work in offices and facilities that have improved air quality and increased natural lighting have a lower rate of absenteeism, retain their jobs longer and work more effectively. Because most companies’ greatest expense is employee salaries, the employee related benefits of energy efficient construction actually contribute to companies’ profits.

The best way to achieve leed certification is to work with an energy-efficient consultant to develop energy solutions that fit your company’s atmosphere and operating procedures. Once implemented, the solutions will offer your company three indispensable benefits: a dramatic reduction in power cost, and dramatic increase in productivity and, last but not least, a friendlier stance toward the environment.

Companies that work with an energy efficient consultant to achieve LEED Certification do more than make their buildings energy efficient. They also increase employee productivity and can qualify for tax credits.

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